Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-In Hybrid goes on sale; 84 mpg US

31 July 2014

S 500 Plug-In Hybrid. Click to enlarge.

Mercedes-Benz has begun taking orders for the new S 500 Plug-In Hybrid (earlier post), with prices (in Germany, including 19% VAT) from €108,944.50 (US$146,000); the sedan will begin arriving at dealerships in September.

Following the S 400 Hybrid and S 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid is the third hybrid model in the new S-class line-up. All second-generation hybrid drive systems share the same integration into the powertrain. The combustion engine can be completely decoupled from the electric motor. Further features are the second-generation recuperative braking system and the anticipatory Intelligent Hybrid energy management system.

The high-voltage lithium-ion battery of the S 500 Plug-In can be externally recharged via the charging socket in the right side of the rear bumper.

Mercedes-Benz is warranting the high-voltage battery and Plug-In Hybrid components (e.g. e-machine and power electronics) for six years or 100,000 kilometers (62,000 miles).

The energy management system automatically selects the combination of internal combustion engine and e-machine and in so doing not only adapts its strategy according to the load status of the battery, but also adjusts it according to the traffic or route. Drivers can also intervene manually and with the aid of four operating modes and three transmission modes regulate the hybrid interplay themselves.

The haptic accelerator pedal supplies the driver with feedback on the switch-on point of the combustion engine or signals via a double impulse when they should take their foot off the accelerator for sailing and recuperating. The energy flow is shown in all operating states in the instrument cluster and in the central display.

The standard equipment in the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid is extensive and offers a first: extended pre-entry climate control. At the start of the journey the S-Class is air conditioned to the preset temperature if the driver enters the departure time, via Mercedes connect me, for example. This is possible due to the electrically driven refrigerant compressor and electric heating elements for the heated air. In addition to this, when preheating it is not just the interior air but also the seats, steering wheel and armrests in the doors and center console which are heated, and when cooling the seat ventilation is also activated if the respective optional extra is on board.